House Adopts FOIA Oversight and Implementation Act, Will Consider Transparency Bills

WASHINGTON – On a bipartisan vote of 410-0, the House of Representatives today adopted H.R. 1211, the FOIA Oversight and Implementation Act of 2014.  H.R. 1211 was introduced by Chairman Darrell Issa (R-CA) and Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD) and reported out of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee last year.  H.R. 1211 will enhance the American people’s access to federal government information by improving the responsiveness of federal agencies to FOIA requests.

“As citizen watchdogs, Americans have the right to keep an eye on their government and are entitled to a federal government that is both transparent and accountable,” Chairman Issa said in a statement.  “Disclosure should be timely, accurate, and routine.  H.R. 1211 enacts commonsense reforms that will reduce the backlog of FOIA requests from federal agencies by strengthening the Office of Government Information Services and creating an online request system.  The reforms in the FOIA bill will strengthen agency compliance and make it easier for the public to access information from the federal government.”

WATCH ISSA SPEAK ON THE IMPORTANCE OF GOVERNMENT TRANSPARENCY

The legislation has been endorsed by the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council and 29 transparency groups, including the Project on Government Oversight, the American Society of News Editors, the Sunlight Foundation, and the Sunshine in Government Initiative.

The House also unanimously adopted H.R. 1423, the Taxpayers Right-to-Know Act today by a voice vote.  Sponsored by Rep. James Lankford (R-OK) and reported out of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee, H.R. 1423 will strengthen government accountability by establishing effective reporting requirements for federal agencies on use of taxpayer funds.

On Wednesday, the House will consider, under suspension of the rules, H.R. 3308, the Taxpayer Transparency Act, sponsored by Rep. Billy Long (R-MO) and reported out of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee.

On Wednesday, the House will consider, subject to a rule, H.R. 2804, the All Economic Regulations are Transparent (ALERT) Act, sponsored by Rep. George Holding (R-NC) and reported out of the Oversight and Government Reform.

On Friday, the House will consider, subject to a rule, H.R. 899, the Unfunded Mandates Information and Transparency Act, sponsored by Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC) and reported out of the Oversight and Government Reform.